Image Forming Apparatus Patch Array Length Adaptation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining color balance due to environmental and operational variations, leading to inefficient density control and increased consumption of printing media and toners, as they rely on fixed patch lengths for color balance correction.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus forms a patch array with gradually increasing conveyance-direction lengths of each patch to adapt to detection position variations, allowing for reliable detection and minimizing media and toner usage by optimizing patch formation based on environmental and operational conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of patches is increased to improve color balance correction accuracy, then the detection reliability is improved, but the consumption of printing media and toners increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor balance correction accuracyVSAvoidconsumption of printing media and toners

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each patch have different conveyance-direction lengths according to its position in the patch array. Patches at different locations are assigned different lengths to compensate for detection position variations, allowing reliable detection without requiring all patches to be excessively long. This localized adaptation reduces overall media and toner consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the patch lengths variable rather than fixed. The conveyance-direction length of each patch is dynamically adjusted based on its position in the array and the expected detection position variations. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to environmental and operational changes without requiring a fixed, overly long patch configuration for all positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed patch lengths are used for color balance correction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to detection position variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatch formation control complexityVSAvoidadaptability to detection position variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each patch have different conveyance-direction lengths according to its position in the patch array. Patches at different locations are assigned different lengths to compensate for detection position variations, allowing reliable detection without requiring all patches to be excessively long. This localized adaptation reduces overall media and toner consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the patch lengths variable rather than fixed. The conveyance-direction length of each patch is dynamically adjusted based on its position in the array and the expected detection position variations. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to environmental and operational changes without requiring a fixed, overly long patch configuration for all positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances color balance correction accuracy while reducing the consumption of printing media and toners, enabling more efficient and reliable image formation by dynamically adjusting patch lengths according to detection position variations.

Implementation Method 1

a color sensor to detect the density or chromaticity of a patch formed on a recording medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

fixing unit configured to fix, to the recording medium, the patch array formed on the recording medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS7813659B2Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 CANON KK

AI summary

This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of more reliably detecting patches formed on a recording medium while suppressing an increase in the consumption of printing media and toners. In an image forming apparatus which detects the density or color of each patch of a patch array fixed on a recording medium that is conveyed and corrects an image formation condition based on the detection result, the patches are formed as the patch array so that the conveyance-direction length of each patch gradually increases in an order of detection by the patch detection unit, and the conveyance-direction length of each patch gradually increases according to increasing of a detection position variation amount of a patch in the order of detection by the patch detection unit.